The Dragon Hearts

Earth wrapped her flowered fingers around the moon
and brushed dust from its craters into the sky
where a thousand stars opened their cosmic mouths
and for the first time in a millennium,
breathed.

Luna sweet shivered nude as the Mother
pulled her hand away, leaving the child
alone in the darkness of a silent galaxy.

The stars cried to see their companion so cold,
and their diamond tears fell to Earth,
nestled deep in their grandmother's womb
while the stars shined upon the Moon until
her trembling ceased.

These fallen diamonds slept,
kept warm by soft soil and tender roots
until around them grew great caves
and Earth's heart warmed to these gentle beings
and she nourished them.

A million years ago, the diamond sprouted wings.
They stretched within Earth until she opened her mouth
and they flew free from her stomach into the chilled air.
When earth saw how their limbs shook and ice formed
on their lips, she sewed a coat of scales sharp as glass
so her children would never feel cold and no creature
could steal their priceless hearts.

She gave them the name "dragon,"
for it described how their hearts were pure as teardrops
and their beauty was unparalleled.
They roamed the skies by day and fed on rodents and pests.
By night they slept, huddled close to their Mother.

Thirteen they were in total,
each brilliant, wise, and just.
They ruled over Earth's Kingdom until
night swept them away in dreams to play among the stars.

In their Mother Earth, they slumber,
thousands years past and gone,
until only their diamond hearts beat and breathe.
Their magic thrives in the grasp of the just,
but beware the touch of evil,
lest wisdom be used for selfishness,
and the world fall to ruin.